Our Team

Meet the staff of the CNA

Wayne is a proud Ojibway from Wikwemikong in Ontario. A single father of two sons and one daughter, Wayne has dedicated his life and activities to the social and cultural development of youth. He is also a strong advocate of First Nation language as a tool for cultural memory and learning.

His current passions, which are shared with his children, include the Y We Dream Foundation and the Indian Joe and DahBroz brands. Dahbroz was recognized as Emerging Entrepreneurs at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Hawaii. Wayne has over 30 years experience as a successful entrepreneur and in senior management. He has spoken at many conferences and events on business development, entrepreneurship and community development.

Wayne has been involved in a variety of activities in the private sector. He was co-owner of a manufacturing plant which produced a line of sportswear and skiwear under the David S Reid brand, co-owner of the Manitoulin Trading Post; a full-service PetroCanada gas bar and convenience store, Two Rivers Technologies; a software development company, Two Rivers Computers, Indian Joe Design; a multi-media and animation company, and The Muskoka Group business incubation and franchise development group.

Wayne also successfully assisted four First Nation communities in the development of computer assembly businesses. He is also a former Band Economic Development Officer; National Facilitator Aboriginal Employment Services Network, where he was responsible for the first national online electronic job and resume bank.

Wayne has also served his community through volunteer work. This includes three terms as president of the Longlac Chamber of Commerce, coaching and mentoring with hockey and lacrosse associations in Ontario and British Columbia, instructor for a number of hockey programs for youth, and committee member to the Software Human Resource Council.

Whitney has an entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a strong business acumen, while being passionate about analyzing information and knowledge as it relates to opportunity.

The business platform is
changing as it relates to Aboriginal inclusion and therefore as the Business Development Officer of the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) Whitney ensures maximum benefit is achieved within this shifting platform.

A proven performer who moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and follow-through; practical, creative, and results focused. Whitney appreciates and understands the diversity of people
and values the importance of a human centred environment as it directly
compliments opportunity and personal growth.

Nicole is from Merritt. Her husband and five children are part of Lytton First Nation. Nicole provides great support to the Employment and Training Program, the CNA, the development and management of the annual planning process, as well as being a great asset in community development processes and referrals for employment.

Nicole's dedication to community development and engagement helps create positive change and impact within the eight CNA communities and related organizations. She especially enjoys engaging in high level team collaboration, demonstrating task reliability, communicating constructively and motivating and supporting team direction.

Her goal is to provide an innovative approach in engaging and expanding overall program development and direction. Part of Nicole's vision is developing advanced networking proficiency and creating effective working relationships and partnerships with service providers and organizations throughout British Columbia.
NicoIe cherishes the Nlaka’pamux territory, and strives to create a strong and successful environment for her
children and their children’s children.

Kristy is from the Lusilyoo Clan from Tl’azt’en Nation and Nak’azdli Nation. Her parents are Rita Henkes and the late Larry Henkes. Her grandparents are Mildred Martin and the late Frank Martin (Sterritt), Aggie Prince, and the late John and Vera Henkes. She is married to Lennard Joe from the Shackan Indian Band of the Nlaka’pamux Nation. They have five children.

Kristy’s background is administration on Band, Nation and Provincial levels with experience in communications, events, training and program development with the First Nations Emergency Services of British Columbia; working with the Union of BC Municipalities and the Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations on Forest Fuel Management and FireSmart Programs. She has also worked with the Okanagan Nation, organizing events and conferences in conjunction with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations.

As Programs Manager, Kristy is responsible for the development and delivery of community based projects and programming that integrates traditional sports, health and capacity building, and balances the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of culture. This includes programs at the community and Nation level for our youth, Elders and community members.

The Programs Manager also ensures CNA programs reflect all stakeholders including children, youth, adults and elders, as well as liaising within communities. The Programs Manager also implements, monitors, evaluates, and reports on programming in accordance with identified annual plans, work plans and overall organizational priorities.

Corrina is a member of the Coldwater Indian Band. Her maternal grandparents are the late Marlene Clarke and Lloyd Spahan. Her paternal grandparents are Gloria Skinner (nee Dennis) and the late Robert Manuel. Her parents are Dorothy Spahan and the late Roland Manuel.

Cultural practices have been a part of Corrina’s life from the beginning, traveling the powwow trail with her parents and their drum group. She grew up learning traditional practices from her family and community.

She learned Nlaka'pamuxcin in middle school as well as the importance of keeping traditions alive. Corrina continued with Nlaka'pamuxcin classes through to graduation. Traditional teachings play a huge role in Corrina’s life as she passes on what she knows to her four children. They are continually learning as a family and love to share their knowledge with others.

Her goal is to bring various traditional teachings throughout the Nicola Valley and Fraser Canyon to ensure culture will be passed on generation to generation. As the Cultural Programs Coordinator, Corrina is responsible for the development and delivery of cultural community based projects and programming which integrates capacity building. This includes ensuring various relationships are established and maintained, liaising within the communities. Promoting programs such as culture nights, gatherings and traditional teachings is the beginning of cultural revitalization within the Nlaka’pamux nation.

Jean spoke Nlaka’pamuxcin until she went to Residential School in Lytton. She is the daughter of the late Wilson Albert and the late Theresa (Joe) Albert. She lives on IR #7 of the Cooks Ferry Band with her husband Victor York. Jean is the owner of Skeke’kya Curriculum Consultants. She has 31 years of educational experience in various leadership and management positions.

She also has extensive experience in First Nations language curriculum and revitalization. Jean helped developed curriculum for the Head Start Program, First Nations Studies for grades 1 to 11 including Beginner 11 in the Nicola Valley, as well as workshops in various school districts in the province. Jean and the CNA Language team encourage all community
members to join their efforts to maintain and revitalize Nlaka'pamux language.

Kelli is a member of the Coldwater Indian Band and is of Carrier, Sto:lo, and Nłeʔképmux ancestry. Her parents are Shelley Oppenheim-Lacerte Nłeʔképmux from Coldwater Indian Band and Victor Lacerte Carrier originally from Nak’azdli Band, Fort St. James, however, he is currently a Coldwater Indian Band member.

Her grandparents are Mildred Mussell-Oppenheim and Wilfred Oppenheim on her mothers’ side and her grandparents are Eileen Prince-Lacerte and Victor Lacerte on her fathers’ side.

Kelli is working on completing her Bachelors of Education (B.Ed.) program and has worked with School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) for two years as a part-time Nłeʔképmxcín teacher at the Elementary schools. Kelli is a passionate language learner and is eager to
learn and grow with Nłeʔképmxcín.

Lena is from the Cooks Ferry Band, her grandparents were Frank Walkem and Gertie Toodlican, her parents are Carol Walkem and Monty Nicholson. She attended fine art schools in northern Ontario and Santa Fe, New Mexico studying photography and print-making.

In 2005 Lena attended the FNESC Maori Language Tour and the World Indigenous People’s Conference on Education in New Zealand. Lena has a strong interest in Nlaka’pamux culture and language preservation.

She has worked with Cooks Ferry Band as a Cultural Assistant, and assisted with the Unity Gathering in 2011. She has also worked with Tmixw Research and Esh-kn-am on research projects and archaeology field work. Lena was a tour guide and landscape assistant at Tuckkwiowhum Village for Boston Bar Band. She is an aspiring language learner and her task is adding graphics and photos to the CNA Language Program, as well as assisting with recording language speakers and building lesson plans.

Mary is the daughter of the late Willard Angus and the late Minnie Angus (Nali) of Nicomen Indian Band. Mary is now a member of the Shackan Indian Band. Growing up Mary lived in several communities (Nicomen, Shackan and in Merritt) surrounded by Nlaka’pamux speakers and was encouraged to listen and learn.

Mary taught primary grade children in Cache Creek/Bonaparte and retired from the Kamloops School District 31 years later. Mary has also written four autobiographical children's books and is passionate about getting Nlaka’pamuxcin into communities. Over the years, she has heard less and less Nlaka’pamuxcin being spoken fluently. Someone once said, “Language can only be saved by itself. Then only if its members acquire it, will it revive.”

Aliyah is a proud Shackan Band member and grew up on reserve before moving to Kelowna to attend the University of British Columbia. She graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Following graduation, Aliyah moved to Australia where she worked and travelled for 14 months.

Being a member of the Shackan Band and Nlaka’pamux Nation presents Aliyah with invaluable
opportunities
to return her skills to the communities, allowing her to blend science-based education with traditional Nlaka’pamux knowledge.

Aliyah welcomes and values any knowledge, stories or input that members of the eight communities wish to share.

Christy is a member of Lytton First Nation. She is the face you see when you walk into the CNA offices. Christy is the second oldest of seven children. She is the daughter of the late April Eileen Charlie, and Elvis Paul who still lives on his family’s land in Lytton.

Christy was adopted when she was a little girl and has since moved back to the territory to get to know her biological family. She grew up in Quesnel with her adoptive family and her biological brother and sister.

Christy is a mother of four beautiful children. Kitana Shuter who is a member of the Adams Lake Indian Band; Katelyn Whittaker-Spahan and Raiden Whittaker-Spahan who are
members of the Coldwater Indian Band; and David Hawk Yamelst who is a member of the
Cook’s Ferry Indian Band. Christy says being part of the CNA family is amazing.
There is lots of laughter in the office and she feel right at home.

Buzz is a member of the Upper Nicola Band and is of Syilx and Nlaka’pamux ancestry. Born and raised in the Nicola Valley he became an avid athlete, competing in hockey, softball, basketball and volleyball. Buzz also competed in track and field and cross country running, and has participated in seven North American Indigenous Games; three times as an athlete, twice as a coach for Athletics, and twice on the Team BC Mission Staff.

Buzz was employed by the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council for over six years, working at regional and provincial levels, developing grass roots and competitive sport programs for indigenous communities in BC. He holds two diplomas from Vancouver Island University in Recreation & Sport Management and Physical Education.

Buzz works with CNA Participating Bands to develop grass roots, sport development programs for youth. He also works with minor sport associations in the Nicola Valley, Lytton and Ashcroft to get youth involved with mainstream sports, and to introduce sports such as lacrosse, rugby, hockey, archery and other physical activities to our communities. The goal is to create healthy and active communities, which includes developing sports teams and hosting tournaments for our youth to play and compete in. Buzz has his sights set on having youth involved in the North American Indigenous Games. Buzz and his wife Maple live an active life with their three children Keanu, Phoenix and Linden

Corey is a Coldwater Band member, the son of Florence Lamirande and grandson of the late Louisa “Sheena” Lamirande and Denis Lamirande. Born in Winnipeg, where he spent nine years of his young life, Corey moved to Merritt where he graduated from Merritt Secondary School in 2004.

He also lived in Vancouver for a year studying at Vancouver Film School, where he received a diploma in Film Production in 2017. Corey is a proud to be a Nłeʔképmux First Nations person. He also has Okanogan and Metis ancestry.

His true passion is being a story teller, whether it be helping someone tell their story or working on stories of fiction to inspire, entertain and provoke thought and feelings. Corey also hopes to one day make it in the film industry in Vancouver or California, or perhaps stay in Merritt to start his own film production company and studio. Right now, he is happy to be working in his community where he can practice his trade at the CNA.

Gary has been in radio for over 26 years. He has held positions as a news reporter and anchor, news director, talks show host, program and music director and station manager in British Columbia, The Netherlands and Germany. NLX Radio provides CNA communities with Nlaka'pamuxcin lessons, community news and events, and music from Aboriginal artists. Listen to NLX RADIO.